Travel Guide SA - Free State

THE FREE STATE

The Free State lies in the very heart of South Africa, with the small land locked country of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south, this immense region of rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see, checker boarded with sunflower and maize crops. 129,480 km² of land that houses about three million people speaking mainly Sesotho and Afrikaans

On the Vaal River lies the Vaal Dam and on the Orange River the Gariep Dam. Both are focal points for South African travellers, as is the eastern region of the province where the Free State merges into the splendour of the Drakensberg Mountains.

Bloomfontein is home to a wealth of historical and cultural attractions and excellent facilities, while the Willem Pretorius Game reserve, North of Winburg, offers a wealth of wildlife, excellent fishing conditions, and a wide range of sports facilities. Kroonstad has all you need for a relaxing break, including an excellent holiday resort and Loch Athlone, one of the major attractions of Bethlehem, is a magnet for anglers and those who enjoy boating.

No visit to the Free State would be complete without following the renowned Highlands Route starting at Harrismith and ending at Zastron. Along this route, nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the north-eastern Free State, is the Golden Gate Highlands National Park which derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the spectacular sandstone cliffs.

“The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons."

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA